Mike Edgett When the term “Internet of Things” (IoT) started gaining greater awareness, at first glance it seemed like nothing new to food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers. F&B companies have been monitoring, measuring and responding to manufacturing metrics throughout the plant as the core of quality control for decades. Granted it has transformed from things like stand-alone circular chart recorders and low temperature alarms, to centralized control centers that monitor and manage a complex food plant from procurement to processing to packing and ultimately even storage and shipping. But IoT can not only deliver more efficient quality control for F&B companies, it has the potential to transform a business. As food companies reassess their readiness for meeting regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), one important aspect is collaboration with their vendors, partners and customers. Companies need to be able to demonstrate solid preventative procedures that manage incoming metrics as well as metrics throughout the supply chain. Traceability is more than knowing where a product came from and where it went, but also the parameters by which it was transported and stored. Therefore, while the Internet of Things will undoubtedly impact many aspects of manufacturing, supply chain management and logistics, it seems to hold some of the greatest potential. Scanners, bar codes, and GPS tracking devices are already being used to monitor the movement of goods in the warehouse and on trucks to customers. A recent survey indicated that 35 percent of manufacturers currently collect and use data generated by smart devices to enhance manufacturing/operating processes, and an additional 17 percent plan to do so in the next three years. IoT can also provide the insight needed to drive greater efficiency within the tight margins that many food companies operate in. Having better visibility of quantity and […]